Ayatana Yoga Retreats

Ayatana Yoga Retreats UK

We are passionate about the joys of yoga and meditation and love nothing more than having the opportunity to share it with others. Laura and Jane completed their professional yoga teacher training in in 2012 and have been teaching together ever since.

Laura Wilsonphotoxp

I am the founder member of Ayatana Yoga and also of its sister business Edinburgh Community Yoga From universities to psychiatric hospitals, office spaces, to public classes, from private clients to drug and alcohol rehabilitation centres, and from football stadiums to homeless charities; each week I enjoy the opportunity to teach within an array of diverse groups within the Edinburgh Community.

I have long been fascinated by body/mind practices, an interest which originally took me into professional dance training, leading to a Bachelor of Arts Honors Degree from London Contemporary Dance School. I began to make the transition from dance to Hatha yoga in 2005 and since then have explored Iyengar, Ashtanga and vinyasa flow traditions. I trained as a yoga teacher for Children and Families in 2011 and alongside gained my Yoga Alliance UK affiliated 200-hours teacher training certificate in in February 2012 where I qualified to teach Hatha Yoga, Traditional Ashtanga, Chanting, Meditating and Pranayama. In July 2014 I began a British Wheel of Yoga Diploma in yoga for pregnancy and in September 2014 qualified with The Minded Institute as a MARK (Minded Addiction Recovery Kit) practitioner. Also with The Minded Institute, in October 2014 I began my teacher training as a Yoga Therapist specialising in Mental Health.

I have recently begun to widen my practice further exploring kundalini and yin yoga as well as yoga nidra. I trained in transcendental meditation in 2009 and mindful meditation in 2012 both of which inform my daily meditation practice.

My focus as a teacher is on supporting individuals to find their own practice in a safe and encouraging environment. My classes are alignment focused, but with a love of ashtanga vinyasa yoga and a dance background they inevitably also help to develop a sense of flow and movement. I use the breath (pranayama) and meditation work to develop connection between body and mind. Whilst developing strength and flexibility my classes are also very meditative and encourage deep relaxation and centering. I love the versatility of yoga and meditation and never cease to be amazed by the lessons I continue to learn through my practice on and off the mat.

Welcome to Ayatana Yoga Retreats. “Ayatana” is an ancient Sanskrit word meaning inner or outer sanctuary. Whether you are new to yoga and meditation or a lifelong yogi, curious to experience a different kind of holiday or looking for an alternative to a traditional hen event: our yoga retreats and holistic hen weekends are for you. At Ayatana Yoga, we offer the chance to indulge in a heart-warming, self-confirming practice at a level to suit you, to enjoy healthy food, space to rest, recuperate and re-connect amongst stunning Scottish countryside. Join us and find the sanctuary yoga retreat weekend you have been waiting for.